Review Model Specifications

• Our review notebook as equipped:
• Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 Processor (Santa Rosa, 2.2GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• Microsoft Genuine Windows Vista Business
• 15.4" Crystal View (Glossy) WXGA Display (1280x800)
• Integrated 1.3MP Webcam
• nVidia GeForce 8400M G DX10 Graphics Card ¨C 128MB Dedicated
• 1GB DDR2 667MHz RAM (Upgraded to 2GB of DDR2 667MHz for the review)
• Fujitsu 100GB 5400RPM SATA 1.5 Hard Drive
• Modular Dual-Layer Multi-format DVD Writer
• Modem, Intel 4965AGN (802.11a/b/g/n) WiFi, 10/100/1000 GigE LAN, Bluetooth
• 8-call, 14.4V, 5200 mAh, 74.9 Whr Battery
• One year international warranty

Had we purchased this notebook instead of getting a review laptop loaned to us, the E8410 would have cost a total of $1,849 before shipping and taxes.

Build and Design

Cosmetically, the E8410's exterior consists largely of medium grade black matte plastic with some glossy highlights in the front for good looks.  This business-oriented notebook would look goodl in just about any public appearance.  It is not too flashy, nor is it too professional looking.  The plastic is smooth to the touch without being slippery.  However the glossy front "bumper" is definitely a fingerprint magnet.

(view large image)

Opening up the interior, one sees the mostly light-silver interior.  The keyboard deck is again all plastic.  One of the more unique features on this laptop is that there are no LED status lights.  Instead, Fujitsu uses a black/white LCD display in all their laptops that convey a large amount of information about the current status of the laptop without bright and obtrusive lights like those bright-blue LEDs found on most consumer laptops.

(view large image)

As shown in the picture below, this LCD 'status display' shows just about everything regarding the laptop.  Symbols convey if the laptop is powered on, if the battery is charging or discharging, the remaining charge in the battery, optical or storage drive activity, wireless activity, and more.  Overall, it is a very interesting and useful status indicator ... and did I say I liked the lack of bright LED lights?

(view large image)

The quality of materials used isn't quite what we expected for a business laptop at this price point. I think Fujitsu could do just a little bit better.  The main body of the laptop is mostly sturdy, but the areas immediately above and below the optical drive have some give.  The flex is no doubt due to the modular optical drive bay and how it has to be built into the laptop.  However, the RAM bay cover has some flex and I do not like that much at all.  The good news is though that the remaining part of the body of the notebook is solid.

The screen housing is also similarly constructed.  I am able to twist the screen housing a little bit more than I would have preferred, but the screen does not distort at all while doing this.  Additionally, I can only produce ripples on the screen by pressing somewhat hard on the back surface.  The back will flex some under normal usage which is to be expected from plastic, but the bezel does a good job of protecting the valuable LCD screen.  It would be very difficult to damage the LCD under normal usage and that makes it a clear winner for travelling in a backpack or suitcase.

As mentioned previously, the optical drive is also modular, which means that any type of optical drive supported by Fujitsu can be placed in the E8410.  Or, one could put the included weight saver plastic insert in the slot to shave a little weight off of the laptop. Users can als insert a secondary battery instead of an optical drive to get a longer battery life.

My only issue with the optical drive bay is that the bay release trigger is at the back corner of the laptop.  That leaves it in a vulnerable position for handling and moving around. I did accidentally eject the drive while handling the notebook during the review.  While the modular bay release is definitely welcome I would like to see this feature implemented as a recessed button next time.

Last, but certainly not least, is that the E8410 comes equipped with anti-shock technology for the notebook's hard drive.  In my time with the review unit, this shock sensor was tested a little bit as the notebook was shaken and stirred.  The sensor that monitors sudden movements is very sensitive and it will certainly protect your hard drive very well.